This itinerary explores 5 villages in the south of the island which are between the cities of Larnaca in the east and Limassol in the west. The distances between the villages are not great and the itinerary is designed to enable you to explore the villages and nearby sites of interest. Walking between them is really ‘access’ walking along minor roads. As our walking itineraries are through areas where there are ample tavernas and restaurants, we do not include packed lunches or select particular restaurants for you to be at a particular time. To restrict you to times and locations would not do justice to the excellent eateries that would welcome you and offer excellent fare at whatever time you chose to arrive.
Other than at the start and at the end of your trip, we have allowed 2 nights in each village giving one full day to explore the village, eat in a local taverna, sit in the village square, visit a nearby site and generally absorb the ambience and history of the location. Several of the villages have small museums and, of course, an interesting church. Walking level is easy to medium.
There are two important neolithic settlements in the area, Choirokoitia and that of Tenta and also the Convent of Aghios Minas. The area also has an olive farm, wineries, bee hives and dams for fishing. This itinerary can also very easily be followed on bicycles which can be pre-booked (at a supplement) to collect at your first port of call. Luggage will be transferred between the various hotels and apartments where you will be staying. The itinerary can be altered to afford more nights in each village and can also be lengthened or shortened.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Larnaca Airport
- Transfer on arrival and departure
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- 4 Nights at Blue Arches, Lefkara (Self Catering)
- 2 Nights at Porfyrios Guest House Suites, Khirokitia (Self Catering)
- 2 Nights at Evelos Apartments, Tochni (Self Catering)
- 2 Nights at Library Hotel and Wellness Resort, Kalavasos (Bed and Breakfast)
- 4 Nights at Andreas and Melanie at Governor's Beach (Bed and Breakfast)
- Maps and local information (provided locally)
- The services of our representative
Note: This itinerary can also be followed by bike, at a supplement. Entry to archaeological sites, local attractions and museums are not included.
Board Basis: Self Catering, Bed & Breakfast
Day 1 - Day of arrival
On arrival at Larnaca Airport, you will be transferred to the Blue Arches in the centre of Pano Lefkara. This group of four one-bedroomed apartments, set in a renovated listed building of traditional stone, will be your base for four nights.
Overnight at Blue Arches in Pano Lefkara on a Self Catering basis.
Blue Arches, Pano Lefkara, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 2 - Exploring Pano Lefkara
Pano Lefkara is set on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains in the Larnaca district at 1,600 ft above sea level. It has a population of around one thousand and is one of the beautiful towns of Cyprus, with cobbled, limestone streets and interesting architecture. The coming of tourism has had little impact on the look of the town and the traditional architecture. Many traditional houses have been listed and restored.
Lefkara is famous for its fine embroidery and its silversmiths who produce delicate filigree work. One can still see women sitting outside their houses working on intricate embroidery patterns, much as they have done for centuries. It is said that Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village in 1481 and purchased a lace cloth to adorn the altar of Milan Cathedral. The town's folklore museum, located in a restored house exhibits local costumes and examples of lacework through the centuries.
There is much to see and explore in the town and you should consider spending your first full day exploring the narrow streets and sampling the fare in the many small taverns.
Overnight at Blue Arches in Pano Lefkara on a Self Catering basis.
Pano Lefkara, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 3 - Walk from Pano Lefkara to Kato Drys
Lefkara is split into two, Pano (upper) and Kato (lower). A 25-minute walk separates the two parts. It’s an easy walk for one of your days. Why not have lunch in one of the tavernas in the lower village? Kato Lefkara has a much smaller population, barely 150 persons and is at an altitude of 1368 ft above sea level. The village is surrounded by wild natural vegetation, mainly pine trees, thorny burnets, brooms, sage, thyme, wild carob and olive trees.
At one time there was only Upper Lefkara but, during the Turkish domination of the island, the banished Greeks created a lower settlement. Lefkara dates from the 12th century and the end of the Byzantine era.
An hour’s walk downhill from Kato Lefkara will bring you Kato Drys. You can also follow a 2.5 km linear dry nature trail from Pano Lefkara to Kato Drys (approximately 1 hr difficulty 3). Kato Drys is a tiny and very pretty village with a population of around 120 persons. Its image used to be featured on the Cyprus one pound note. St Neophytos was born in the village in 1134 and the house where he was born still stands today. The monastery of Ayios Minas can be visited in nearby Vavla, 6 kilometres further west. You will also find a bee keeping and embroidery museum here. This whole region is known for its honey and all the villages are involved in its production.
Overnight at Blue Arches in Pano Lefkara on a Self Catering basis.
Panoramic view of Kato Lefkara, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 4 - Experiences in Lefkara
Three local excursions are included during your stay in Lefkara; Get to Know Nature, Experience Cypriot Gastronomy and Beekeeping. These will be arranged locally and can take place on Day 2, 3 or 4 to suit your preferences. Each experience includes lunch and transfers.
Overnight at Blue Arches in Pano Lefkara on a Self Catering basis.
Kato Lefkara, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 5 - Walk from Pano Lefkara to Khirokitia
Today you will transfer between Pano Lefkara to Khirokitia - the walk takes c.2.5 hours and is all downhill; your luggage will be transferred between accommodation for you. Khirokitia is a large village with a population of 650 persons and one we have featured for many years, with accommodation at the very well managed Porfyrios Guest House Suites. The village has several tavernas, mini-market, coffee shop, a basket weaving museum and workshop and four churches but, most of all, Khirokitia is the base from which to take the Village Nature Trail to the UNESCO heritage site of the archaeological Neolithic settlement of Khirokitia.
Overnight at the Porfyrios Guest House Suites in Khirokitia on a Self Catering basis.
Khirokitia, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 6 - Village nature trail and optional experiences
Dating from the Neolithic age, Khirokitia is the most important and best preserved prehistoric site in the eastern Mediterranean. Belonging to the aceramic period, there are another 20 or so similar settlements located throughout the island. The site is situated in the valley of the Maroni River on the slope of a hill. This was an organised society, with a population of about 300 to 400 persons who hunted and herded sheep and goats and reared pigs. The fruit trees which grew wild in the area (much like now) were pistachios, figs, olives and prunes. Some of the dwellings have been reconstructed to give an idea of village life. A visit to the actual site is of great interest.
Halloumi making and basket making are available experiences in this village and can be arranged locally.
Overnight at the Porfyrios Guest House Suites in Khirokitia on a Self Catering basis.
Porfyrios Guest House Suites, Khirokitia, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 7 - Walk from Khirokitia to Tochni
Today you will walk from Khirokitia to Tochni - your luggage will be transported for you. Tochni is one of the prettiest villages in the area, with many renovated villages houses in traditional Tochni stone, bedecked with flowers. Two churches grace the village and three taverns, with the Tochni Tavern located at the highest spot of the village, not to mention the Teratsia tavern and Agios Constantinos and Agia Eleni coffee shop.
Overnight at the Eveleos Apartments on a Self Catering basis.
Tochni, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 8 - Walk the Tochni Nature Trail
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 3km circular Tochni Nature Trail today. The path is to the southeast of the village and partly follows the ancient trail used by the local inhabitants together with those living in the nearby villages of Maroni and Zigi. The walk takes c.45 minutes during which you will observe a changing landscape, good views and rich wild flora. The church of St Constantinos and the ecclesiastical museum are located on this route.
Overnight at the Eveleos Apartments on a Self Catering basis.
Eveleos Apartments, Tochni, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 9 - Walk from Tochni to Kalavasos
Kalavasos, the next village on your itinerary, is 4.6 km and an hour’s walk away. Your luggage will be transported. Accommodation here is in one of our favourite boutique hotels on the island, the Library Hotel and Wellness Resort. A wonderful place to relax, the Library, a nineteenth century renovated mansion, faces St Mary’s Tetiotissa Church on a quiet street on the left of Kalavasos Square.
Kalavasos is a large village, almost a town, of approximately 800 persons. The name in ancient Greek means a beautiful wooded valley. Here you will find coffee shops, tavernas, a bank, pharmacy, bakery and several churches.
Overnight at the Library Hotel and Wellness Resort in Kalavasos on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Kalavasos, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 10 - 4km circular walk around Kalavasos
A 4km walk south of the village is the Kalavasos Tenta, the remains of a neolithic settlement which was discovered in 1947 and is of considerable importance and interest. The hill on which the site is situated, according to local tradition, was where St Helen set camp in AD 327 when she returned from Jerusalem with the cross used to crucify Jesus. As is typical of such settlements, all architectural elements are circular and the densely populated community was protected by a circular stone wall.
Overnight at the Library Hotel and Wellness Resort in Kalavasos on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Kalavasos, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 11 - Kalavasos to Governor’s Beach
This will be your longest walk. It is 10km from Kalavasos to Governor’s Blue Flag Beach via Kalymnou and will take in the region of 2 hours and 15 minutes. This popular beach derived its name from the fact that it was the favourite bathing spot of a former British Governor. Here you will find both rocky and sandy areas to suit all tastes. Fish tavernas abound.
Overnight at Andreas and Melanie at Governor's Beach on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Governor's Beach, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 12, 13 and 14 - Days at leisure
The location of Andreas and Melanie, right on the beach, makes it ideal for your final days in Cyprus. The sea here is clear and the waters warm. The hotel’s restaurant serves local dishes. There are other restaurants and tavernas nearby.
If you still feel like walking and exploring there are several nature trails in the vicinity.
Overnight at Andreas and Melanie at Governor's Beach on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Andreas and Melanie, Governor's Beach, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
Day 15 - Day of departure
You will be transferred to Larnaca Airport for your return flight home.
Plane